Irish food in Cherry Hill

View full sizePhotos providedBrothers Michael and Sean McGeough brought a little bit of Irish tradition to the U.S. with their restaurants, Dublin Square, currently located in Bordentown and Cherry Hill. They plan to open a third restaurant in Washington Township in May.

After spending nearly six years in Dublin, Ireland during their teenage years, brothers Michael and Sean McGeough decided to bring a bit o’ the Irish tradition to this side of the pond by introducing South Jersey to their restaurant, Dublin Square.

Currently in two locations in Bordentown and Cherry Hill, Dublin Square offers traditional Irish fare and Irish beers in an authentic Irish setting.

“We use a unique South African white fish, dipped in a Black and Tan batter and fried crispy,” he said. “It comes out really good.”

The fish is served with tarter sauce and hand-cut French fries seasoned with a curry essence which gives them an original flavor.

Traditional Irish stew made with chopped meat, celery, carrots and potatoes, and simmered in a Guinness broth, in addition to corned beef and cabbage, the American idea of Irish cuisine, are also menu favorites.

Bangers and champ, Irish sausage and onions atop a bed of potatoes and covered in gravy, and the Dublin Square sausage roll, ground Irish sausage sautéed with onions and herbs, wrapped in puff pastry and baked to a golden brown, are just two more Irish dishes offered at the restaurant.

While indulging in one of the many traditional Irish meals, of-age visitors can wash it all down with one of a wide variety of micro brews and imported Irish favorites.

“Guinness is at the forefront of our beers,” McGeough said. “We also have Harp Lager and Magners Cider for those who don’t really like beer. It’s an apple cider and very tasty.”

At Dublin Square, the food is not the only aspect of the establishment that will make visitors feel like they are in the land of the leprechaun.

View full sizeThe Shepherd's Pie at Dublin Square is a mixture of hand-cut beef and lamb, fresh carrots and sweet peas with an Irish cheddar mashed potato crust for $9.50 or $15.

“We hired an Irish designer,” he said. “All the carpentry was done locally but with an Irish twist, and we went to Ireland to go shopping for all the bric-a-brac, like paintings, bottles, even the horse cart we have out front. That makes it a really unique place.”

In May, McGeough and staff will open Gloucester County’s first Dublin Square restaurant at 139 Egg Harbor Road in Washington Township — the former location of Jack’s Restaurant.

“It should be a quick turnaround,” he said of converting the building into the customary Irish Pub that is Dublin Square.

McGeough said county residents can expect the same wide menu variety while the chefs continue to specialize in what they do best — traditional Irish grub.

“We wanted to bring the quality, hospitality and feel over here to the states,” McGeough said.

Dublin Square also hosts a traditional Irish breakfast on Sundays with Irish sausage and bacon, black-and-white pudding with potatoes and tomatoes, and Irish beans.

Dublin Square locations can be found at 482 Evesham Road in Cherry Hill and 167 Route 130 in Bordentown. For more information, call (856) 520-8312 for Cherry Hill or (609) 298-7100 for Bordentown, or visit www.dublinsquarepubs.com.